Town Green Still In Bloom

Monday was a beautiful day for some late fall gardening with temps in the low 60s and little wind. I went to Town Green to cut back plants that were done flowering for the year, but found some surprise bloomers (see photos).

People often ask me which plants I cut back before winter. I like to cut back most perennials, except those with fall and winter interest like grasses and sedums. At the Town Green, mice use the plants as protective cover from predators and eat the roots of those plants. If I remove the plants, there doesn't seem to be as much plant loss in the spring. I cut back as much as I can in the fall and then there is less work in the spring.

Sven, a Northern Accents Rose, introduced by the University of Minnesota, lives up to its name for hardiness. You can depend on Sven for continuous bloom - even through October this year! Sven is very fragrant and I enjoy working close to it.  You can enjoy it while sitting on a nearby bench at the Town Green.  If you like this rose, there are two others in the group - Lena and Ole.

I found one of my favorite spring flowers, Marsh Marigold, blooming today! That has never happened at my home garden, but there are different conditions at the Town Green - full sun and consistent watering! The Marsh Marigold prefers a moist environment and can be found along streams and in boggy areas. I have seen it while hiking in Wisconsin and Colorado. At my home, I have this planted around hostas, it blooms before the hosta leaves pop up and then is covered up the rest of the year. I have divided my original plant numerous times and have shared it with many gardening friends. 

I planned to cut back the daylilies at the Town Green, but had to leave this Mardi Gras Daylily, which is close to the rock bench. If the warm weather continues, there are plenty of new buds and Mardi Gras could continue blooming through October! This bench is the perfect spot to sit and relax because of the fragrant flowers close by!

Sedum Matrona, a selection from Germany, is a beautiful plant during all seasons. Before Matrona even blooms, the pretty red stems and fleshy green leaves compliment other perennials and annuals. This is the second year for this group of plants and  it is reflowering after the first round of flowers turned a chocolate brown. I leave this plant for winter interest! You can also see the globeflowers reblooming in the background.

Pixie Meadowbrite, an echinacea introduction by Chicagoland Grows, is nice because it is compact and long blooming. In both my home garden and Town Green garden it is still blooming.